Homeland Insecurity: Terrorist Fundraising in the Heartland

Nearly 15 years after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and 6 years after 9/11, the federal agencies responsible for our domestic security against terrorism appear to be entirely unaware, unequipped and unconcerned about the continued operations of Islamic terrorists inside the US.

Exhibit A in support of this thesis is the recent fundraising visit to the US by major Somali terrorist leader Zakaria Mahmoud Haji-Abdi. Abdi is deputy chairman of the Eritrean-based Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). The ARS is organizationally integrated with the al-Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which is waging the deadly terrorist insurgency in Somalia against the UN and US recognized Transnational Federal Government (TFG). The insurgency is responsible for the violence that has caused the deaths of nearly 6,000 Somalis this year in Mogadishu alone and forced at least another half million refugees to flee from there.

Abdi was the keynote speaker at a fundraising event and conference hosted by the United Somali Diaspora and held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis on November 24. An article published the following day by SomaliTalk (in Somali) features numerous pictures of the event, documenting Abdi’s attendance. (Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali population in the country.) A follow-up conference was held the following weekend at the Days Inn in Falls Church, VA, (right outside Washington, D.C.) by United Somali Diaspora and several other US-based Somali groups.

Some in the US Somali community, however, are actively speaking out against the ARS terror campaign and their fundraising efforts in the West.

Abdirahman Warsame, Executive Director of the Terror Free Somalia Foundation, expressed his opposition to the conference agenda and Abdi’s terrorist fundraising mission. “This event was definitely intended to organize and mobilize the extreme elements of the Somali community here to support the armed struggle against the internationally recognized Somali government and oppose US foreign policy,” Warsame said. “Abdi was openly calling for jihad and directing supporters to use the underground hawala networks to circumvent US controls to prevent terrorism financing overseas. These funds will be used to support the insurgency that is killing civilians, civil servants and anyone who works for or with the government, in order to further weaken the country and open the doors for foreign terrorists to take control of the country. Why would this man be allowed in the US?”

Repeated phone calls and emails from this reporter to the Department of Homeland Security public affairs office asking for explanation on why Abdi was allowed in the country did not receive a reply.

The failure of Homeland Security to act in any way to keep Abdi out of the country prompted heated criticism of the agency by Steven Emerson of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. “It is absolutely scandalous that federal authorities cannot or will not stop jihadists from entering the US. Homeland Security should be called Homeland Insecurity,” Emerson said.

He also noted that fundraising for terror is directly related to acts of terror:

To paraphrase the president, there is no difference between those that carry out acts of terrorism and those that protect them or enable them. Jihadist financiers are just as culpable for blowing up buses of children as those that strap bombs upon themselves. A jihadist is a jihadhist, and they are killers who have no place being allowed to operate in the US.

Another ARS official, Abdirahman Haji Aden Ibbi, also joined Abdi as a speaker at the Minneapolis conference. The ARS was formed back in September during a conference held in Asmara, Eritrea to create an international coalition between the ICU, which was forced out of power in Somalia late last year by Ethiopian troops supporting the TFG, the Eritrean government, Islamist leaders from around the Middle East and the Somali diaspora community in the West. The US is currently considering listing Eritrea as a state sponsor of terrorism for its continued support of the insurgency in Somalia and for providing a haven for the ARS leadership.

Abdi was selected as the deputy chairman and official spokesman of the ARS, and the ICU’s no. 2, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, was appointed chairman. Last year, when the ICU took control of the country and imposed its Taliban-style of shari’a law, Abdi openly applauded their arrival. “Yesterday the West was talking about lawlessness in Somalia. Today everything is better because the Islamic courts have taken over,” Abdi said. “Let us give these people a chance.”

The leader of the ICU, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, also appeared at the Asmara conference, emerging from hiding following the ICU’s flight from Ethiopian forces. Aweys is wanted by the US and has been listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. US Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) on Meet the Press last year described Aweys as “an al-Qaeda operative or somebody that is connected to al-Qaeda.”

During the Asmara conference, Abdi was quoted as saying that the Ethiopian troops supporting the UN-backed TFG should “surrender now” or face “extinction.” He told the Associated Press : “We have enough and well-armed forces in every village of Somalia and they are ready to restore their sovereignty. We are in Eritrea to establish a control and command system so as we avoid confusion after the liberation.”

Abdi did not explain, however, the contradiction of “liberating” Somalia from foreign domination while receiving Eritrean military assistance and welcoming foreign Arab fighters (including known al-Qaeda operatives) as part of the Somali insurgency.

This episode demonstrates that our national security in some areas is no better than what it was prior to 9/11. If Homeland Security can’t or won’t act to prevent terrorist leaders like Zakaria Mahmoud Haji-Abdi from entering the US, there may be very little standing between us and the next 9/11.

11 Comments, 11 Threads

1.
Mohamed Jibrell

Patrick Poole’s report “Are America’s enemies operating freely from inside the country?” is commendable. Here in Minnesota and throughout the US Somali supporters of ICU terrorists are engaged in substantial fundraising and are posting anti-TFG and anti-American propaganda on Somali Cyber media. It was indeed appalling that Homeland Security let in to the US people like Abdi, Eppe and Naeemo to fundraise for the Islamic Courts. Homeland Security needs to do a better job in monitoring Somali terrorist supporters.

Below is an article I posted in Somali cyber media, responding to the cyber apologists for terrorism

The Questionable Moral Arbiters (Mohamed Jibrell)
It appears that hypocrisy is endemic in the Somali cyber media, but worse there are those self appointed moral arbiters defending terrorism and other forces of darkness in the Somali cyber space. These defenders see themselves as moral arbiters of the Universe. At one level justifying violence for themselves and denying it – the right of defense – to the Transitional Federal Government.

These self-appointed moral arbiters of the Universe wish a horrible end for the TFG and oppose any hope of stability in Somalia. For many of these cyber TFG Bashers hypocrisy is not considered a perennial crime. If all the cyber hypocrites were banned, there will be no one left to write for the cyber Somali news groups.

Many of us would like to believe that there are no foreign terrorist elements in Mogadishu, but the facts do not support this wishful thinking. To the contrary the string of execution-style killings and suicide car bombings that have been taking place recently are alien to Somali culture and demonstrate the fingerprints of foreign jihadists. The TFG cyber opponents manifest a deliberate attempt at obfuscation of their intentions; they betray a sense of subterfuge and confusion about their goals. Others, those duped into the jihadist war, appear to be clueless about their distressing activities. In effect they are wittingly or unwittingly supporting Al-Qaeda

The International Community has worked very hard for Somalis to reconcile and establish a government. They had no obligation to invest all their resources and good will to establish Somali Government, but they did it anyway out off the goodness of their hearts and because of their self-interest. Every country has it own national interest and as the idiom goes “foreign policy is NOT based on permanent friends BUT rather on Interests. One might ask: “what self interests do Africans, Europeans, Arabs and Asians have in Somalia that is not apparent to Somalis, themselves?” The answer is simple: the International community does not want chaos in the Horn Africa. How about Ethiopia: What is her self-interest? It is hard to believe with all the wars and turmoil that happened between Somalia and Ethiopia, but it is plausible that Ethiopia and other neighboring governments’ self-interest in Africa is nothing more than to have a peaceful and stable Somalia. It is in this context and rationale that the UN and African Union countries support the transitional government – to bring us back to the community of nations. So for fourteen times the International Community, with Ethiopia, Kenya and the other IGAD countries at their forefront brought Somalis together to establish a negotiated government.

The cyber apologists for terrorism have created an unbelievable mythology around the Union of Islamic Courts. They tirelessly repeat mantras about the Islamic Courts: the Islamic Court governed peacefully and well, were on the right track, and have become victims of America’s war on terror. On the contrary, the Islamic Courts did not govern; they had no administration at all. Their claim to peace was bogus too. The Islamic courts declared Jihad on all ‘infidels’ and set a “swarm” of child -soldiers to fight in Kismayu and Baidoa. They even predicted that it would be cakewalk to overthrow the “weak” Government in Baidoa and the infidel government in Addis Ababa.

What is more striking about the cyber TFG bashers is how nearly all ignore the reality of the courts introducing an autocratic rule of terror based on a foreign Islamic Salafi ideology compounded by criminal acts of suicide bombs, roadside explosions, and dragging of dead bodies in the streets of Mogadishu. Those evil deeds never cross the TFG bashers’ editorial desks. For the last 17 years they have changed colors many times: clan rights supporters; nationalists; and religious purists defending the faithful, among others. What makes their arguments inane are the multiple portraits they provide as critics adrift from moral bearings.

I think this article is long over due, indeed this is homeland insecurity. Zakaria and his like minded people shouln’d been given the previlege to come and go USA, UK or any other place, after enticing attacks and jihad against the Government of Somalia and jeopordizing the security of the Horn of Africa.

I am appalled by those who don’t want to recognize people fight to liberate their homeland from invasion by Etheopia. Patrick Poole’s article is full fo false accusations agains freedom loving people who refuse to go under rule of a petty dictator named Meles Zenawi who will gain nothing by grief from his misadventure in Somalia. While turning blind eye to the massacres committed by the Etheopian invaders and their puppet TFG against civilians, Mr Poole is shielding to the criminals agains the victims. He is like others are blinded by their obession with terrror that they foget or ignore the simple fact that Somalis people will resist the invasion and the occupation of their country. Somali will be free and the invaders and the backers see their defeat. Did you “forget balckhawk down”

It is not first time I have seen ill-informed writer like Poole exaggerating terrorist case or intentionally propagating to victimize others to satisfy his hate of particular people and faith. Anyone familiar the facts on ground will laugh on the falsehood accusation filled on your article and realize that you were fed allot of lies by a part of the Somali community who supports civilian genocide in Mogadishu and destruction of vital services by Ethiopians against people they perceive to be their enemy. Intelligence agencies in America are more resourceful in the community on the issue you stumped to tackle than your poorly researched article and what people like Warsame and Jibril advocate. I wonder who you will fool.

Put it is simply. I am more interested in bringing to justice the merciless, cold killers of 6,000 poor soles (Patrick Poole’s own admission) + 12 more today – and guest what? all evidence point to Meles & Co. and not the Freedom fighters

Patrick Poole does not seriously expect anybody to fall for this, does he?

Having read the article I actually had to double check that this was not a hoax or joke or of sort or even perhaps an old April fools joke.

Patrick Poole must be incredibly stupid – if he really believes that he has uncovered “a cell” – well he’s friends will know now too, if he has any

This article is a farce lie. Zakarie is not a terrorist nor is he anything other than one of the only few remaining politicians who has the will and wellbeing of the Somali people at heart.

The Somali people have suffered enormously at the hands of the Ethiopian directly and indirectly.

They have been suffering indirectly since 1991 because the Ethiopian Meles-regime was instructing and funding ruthless warlords such as Abdulahi Yussef (current Pres) and others whereby as a result the Somali peooke have suffered untold missery…

And now they have green light from the mighty Bush administration to undertake –the destruction, looting and all those other things you wouldn’t wish to your worst enemy– directly themself.

These crimes will only prolong the animosity between the neighbours and bear the fruits of future conflicts.

To call a terrorist the very man who’s trying to bring an end to the suffering of the people is a depriciation of the word to say the least and an huge insult to our intelligence. This article might missguide those un-informed but let’s not hope that common sense will prevail at the end of the day:- Innocent untill proven otherwise in a court of justice…
If there is such evidence they should stand in a court of law therefore no proceeding has been brought = The man is not a terrorist

The outgoing year, ashamed because of the evident failure of the human societies and states to be human and thus contribute to resolving dramas as in Darfur, Ogaden, Somalia, Tibet, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and elsewhere, offers an opportunity of reconsideration and reassessment.

First point of erroneous perception and contextualization is the attitude of the World Community to Somalia; it has to be entirely re-assessed, and once the correct conclusions drawn, a just solution should be implemented to unite Somalia and keep the Horn of Africa in Peace.

2. deliberations among all the Somali parties, organizations and associations under the UN, and

3. deployment of UN – AU forces in terrorized, slaughtered and inhumanly bombarded Ogaden, Somalia’s western part that still lives under the colonial terrorism of the Tigray butcher Zenawi.

If there is something to refute in the Western literature about the Horn of Africa, an area that remains widely unknown among the so-called Western specialists, is the superficial attitude and approach that has been illuminated by biased articles and unnecessary rants like that of Patrick Poole.

This guy bears the majestic title of “Counter-terror consultant to law enforcement and the Executive Director of Central Ohioans Against Terrorism” that goes accompanied by a tremendously and undeservedly huge income. Of course this is his personal affair, as well as that of his sponsors, but at a moment people starve in Ogaden and in Somalia, anyone’s income becomes a major concern for all. However; Patrick Poole published before two weeks an incredibly false rant under the title “Homeland Insecurity: Terrorist Fundraising in the Heartland” (http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/12/homeland_security_snoozes_whil.php).

As minimal part of Patrick Poole’s falsifications, one can notice references to the Islamic Courts of Justice, an institution that does not exist anymore, but the forger Patrick Poole mentions it in order to disqualify various persons that happened to have cooperated with that political organization in the past; even worse, Patrick Poole misleads his readers by insulting Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi as terrorist.

To discredit the ridiculous aphorism and offer you every evidence about Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi’s ideological convictions, political vision, and national liberation ideals, I will publish here in its integrity a statement issued a few days ago by Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi, who happens to be the First Deputy Chairman of ARS (Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia); this statement not only is shared by the majority of the tolerant and multicultural, liberal and open-minded Somalis but it bears witness to Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi’s attachment to Human Values and Democratic Procedures.

The only terrorist in Eastern Africa – the ignorant Mr. Patrick Poole should know in order to help America – is the Tigray butcher Melse Zenawi.

A Year of Resistance Against Ethiopian occupation

Statement Delivered by:

Dr. Zakaria M Haji Abdi

1st Deputy Chairman of ARS

(Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia)

Background

The collapse of the Somali state in 1991, followed by bitter divisions and colossal civil war among the people, has caused devastating dissolution of socio-political and institutional structures, breakdown of economic infrastructure, and disintegration of national unity, which in turn promoted environment of instability, insecurity, reign of terror and dominance of ruthless warlords. As a result of this hundreds of thousands of innocent lives were lost, an influx of millions of refugees and internally displaced peoples were flooded in outside the country, the country fall apart forming cantonized clan based fiefdoms, and finally fallen under full occupation of Ethiopia, a historical archrival enemy of Somalis, with unreserved explicit political, military and material support of the United Stated and its western allies. The unprovoked US assisted Ethiopian occupation of Somalia has intentionally undermined and aborted the first collective locally initiated Somali driven with exclusive public support in restoring peace, law and order and bringing normalcy back, an efforts attempted in 2006 by religious and nationalist groups in Mogadishu, known as Union of Islamic Courts.

In these circumstances, the decision to pull forces and resources together, amalgamate and join hands for the liberation efforts in order to restore the independent sovereign united Somali state. The founders of ARS were representatives of all the Somali social segments comprising; the Islamic Courts, the Free Parliamentarians, the Somali Diaspora and civil society representatives, from inside and outside the country. At this crossroad critical moment, it was an imperative long overdue attainment, a historical political turning point and a monumental step to the future of Somalia as a people as well as nation state to have such gathering under one roof.

Therefore the formation of the ARS as an Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia by the Congress of Somali Re-liberation and Re-construction last September this year, here in Asmara, was not only the right direction for the Somali people, but also the only political option left for Somalis arising from the need to have a representative national political organization under which all Somalis are united in order to liberate their country from the Ethiopian occupation and restore independence, statehood, freedom and hope for the Somali nation. Although, ARS was founded in a relatively short period of time by these bona-fide patriotic Somali nationals who are from diverse political and ideological backgrounds, it has moved forward firmly and steadily facing all the challenges that are blocking its path.

However, the challenges confronting ARS are many, both in immediate/short and medium/long terms. Only to mention some, the immediate challenges are: political, organizational and Institutional re-structuring within the ARS, uniting Somali people, and the most important of all is the re-liberation struggle.

One year on from the illegal and reckless Ethiopian occupation to the Somali Republic proved to be disastrous in all aspects. States and organizations, which supported and cooperated directly or indirectly including those who turned blind eyes of this occupation in the name of international community, are now surprised the gravity of human sufferings and unfolding scale of the security and socio-political crisis in Somalia. Watching clips from the major international news media, the world community was shocked by the war crimes that the Ethiopian occupation forces have committed with impunity against innocent, unarmed Somalis in Mogadishu on daily basis.

And yet this is a fraction of the reality on the ground. Two thirds of the capital city, Mogadishu, was demolished, entire neighborhoods were flattened, and thousands of innocent civilian lives were literally butchered and massacred. Thousands were injured and maimed, while unaccounted number of men and women were abducted. Arbitrary gang raping of women and boys as young as 10 years old are documented as this is a normal ‘psychological warfare’ practice by the Ethiopian occupation forces. Under intense and indiscriminate shelling, over one and half million of Mogadishu residents are also displaced from their own homes to face certain death of hunger, health epidemics and harsh weather conditions in the outskirts of Mogadishu and yet what remained from their properties were looted by the invading Ethiopian forces. Moreover, Ethiopian occupation forces have not even spared the Islamic values and shrines. To add injury to insult and humiliation, they have deliberately converted mosques into lavatories using the holly Koran pages as trash toilets papers.

In assertion to above I would like to cite a selection of excerpts from voices who oppose this barbaric occupation:

Firstly; Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman of the Subcommittee on African and Global Health, of the United States Congress, recently commented on the crisis in Mogadishu, and I quote:

Innocent civilians in Mogadishu are being killed and maimed by Ethiopian security forces and the militia of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The atrocities being committed against innocent civilians in Mogadishu are war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is shameful and criminal to use tanks and heavy artillery against civilians.

Mogadishu is another Darfur in the making. It is sad to see that no one seems to care about the untold suffering of the helpless in Somalia. Unfortunately and sadly, the people of Mogadishu are not even allowed to bury their dead relatives and neighbors. We must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of innocent civilians.

Since the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, thousands of civilians have been killed and maimed and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. The abuses that are being carried out by the TFG and the Ethiopian security forces are worse than during the dreadful days of the warlords. Instead of working towards peace and reconciliation, the TFG and the Ethiopian forces are engaged in collective punishment of innocent civilians”.

Secondly; On December 3, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, John Holmes, concludes a one-week visit to the Horn of Africa. Last month, UN officials described the situation in Somalia as the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa.

The humanitarian suffering we see in Somalia and Ethiopia’s Somali region is the direct result of serious international crimes”, said Steve Crawshaw, UN advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Concerned governments and the UN Security Council need to press Ethiopia and Somalia to end these abuses and ensure accountability for their armed forces”.

The report continues: “in November, tens of thousands of people from Mogadishu have drove out yet again. The November clashes have been marked by increasing brutality toward civilians, including summary executions and enforced disappearances of individuals by Ethiopian forces.

These heinous crimes and horrendous atrocities will reverberate in the minds of many Somali generations for many years to come.

ARS Position & Future Vision:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our position and vision for the future Somalia is a crystal clear and summarized in the following points:

1. Ethiopian occupation forces must simultaneously disengage and withdraw immediately and unconditionally from Mogadishu and all Somalia’s territory.

2. Individuals and institutions responsible for the monstrous atrocities and who have committed War Crimes against Somali people should be investigated, apprehended and brought to justice in a court of law.

3. Ugandan and recently arrived Burundian forces must pull out from Somalia. However, an AU or other regional or international peace keeping forces, with specific mandate with explicitly unequivocal rules of engagement, could only be brought in after a negotiated political settlement is reached among the Somalis.

4. ARS is committed for a Somali/Somali dialogue, promotion of peace reconciliation, and restoration of law and order with credible national unity government.

5. ARS urges international community to genuinely assist the legitimate struggle of the Somali people in ending foreign occupation and calls for immediate humanitarian aid relief for the millions of displaced people by the Ethiopian occupation forces.

6. ARS emphatically believes and envisages that an independent, sovereign and democratic Somalia peaceful, prosperous Somalia with democratically elected government.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to conclude my remarks

Unless the Ethiopian government withdraws its occupation forces from all Somali soil, ends these appalling crimes, and accepts its responsibility of the war crimes that they have committed against Somali people, it will be too little, too late, with devastating instability and irreversible insecurity consequences for the whole Horn of Africa region.

Secrets of the Opposition
Known as The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia

Most of the Somali tribes are welcoming the Transitional Federal Government system except one sub-sub-tribe from the southern Mudug & central Galgudud regions. The politicians from this sub-sub-tribe are H Dahir Aweyz, Husein Aided, Ex-president Abdikasim Salad Hasan, Adan H Airow & Sh Yusuf indha’ade, which seriously worry about their political future, which they believe that they will become minority in to the future federal parliament seats and the ministerial cabinet if the federal government system and it’s district–level elections took-place effectively in the country. Because, their political ambitions are not applicable to their limited home settlements & districts, which are less than four districts that they mostly abandoned.

These politicians, mostly they don’t mention how the federal system will affect them, but they usually mention other common problem such as the enforcement of Islamic sharia (law) and the re-liberation of Somalia from ethiopia as to misguide the Somali people and the international community until they reach their goals.

Since the last decade they were occupying to the southern regions and were attempting to establish a some sort of top to bottom based government system like the former Somali military government led by the President Siyad Bare, which they designated to the late general Aided for the establishment of military government that he finally failed.

Their second alternative was the formation of the former Islamic Court Union, which they appointed to the colonel Shiekh Hassan Dahir Aweys for the execution of the Islamic revolution that technically copied from the Iranian Islamic Revolution system led by the Sheikh Ayatulah Khomeini, which was ruling powerfully the Iranian people under a dictatorship council that called majliz-shura. On June 2006 Colonel H D Aweys had founded Islamic Court Union and tried to rule the country under a dictatorship council that he called Majlis-Shura, which finally destroyed by the TFG troops backed by the Ethiopian troops.

Their third alternative is the ongoing chaos, which they assigned to the groups called Al-shabab & Muqawimo for the destruction of the federal government system, terrorization of the people, chaos and the long-lasting civil war.

But, their last alternative is the formations of the ARS Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, which consist of the former Islamic court union & the former transitional federal assembly members & juniors from the Diaspora that they pledged political posts as to steer them into their pre-planed political strategy through covered leaders that they specially appointed in Asmara, Eritrea.

Obviously, when their political goals get closer they will call Shek Sharif, Sharif Hasan, Zakaria Hagi & M Tarsan the four spies, the four jokers, the four detectives as to eliminate and avoid from the top political posts of the expecting Somali government, but I may be possible that Mr Shekh Shariif and his colleague will apply other tactics against that motion.

Sooner or later the opposition of he TFG currently known as ARS will divide into several groups and partially will joint the TFG as to reform its system in to some sort of decentralization government.

Nearly 15 years after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and 6 years after 9/11, the federal agencies responsible for our domestic security against terrorism appear to be entirely unaware, unequipped and unconcerned about the continued operations of Islamic terrorists inside the US.

Exhibit A in support of this thesis is the recent fundraising visit to the US by major Somali terrorist leader Zakaria Mahmoud Haji-Abdi. Abdi is deputy chairman of the Eritrean-based Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). The ARS is organizationally integrated with the al-Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which is waging the deadly terrorist insurgency in Somalia against the UN and US recognized Transnational Federal Government (TFG). The insurgency is responsible for the violence that has caused the deaths of nearly 6,000 Somalis this year in Mogadishu alone and forced at least another half million refugees to flee from there.

Abdi was the keynote speaker at a fundraising event and conference hosted by the United Somali Diaspora and held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis on November 24. An article published the following day by SomaliTalk (in Somali) features numerous pictures of the event, documenting Abdi’s attendance. (Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali population in the country.) A follow-up conference was held the following weekend at the Days Inn in Falls Church, VA, (right outside Washington, D.C.) by United Somali Diaspora and several other US-based Somali groups.

Some in the US Somali community, however, are actively speaking out against the ARS terror campaign and their fundraising efforts in the West.

Abdirahman Warsame, Executive Director of the Terror Free Somalia Foundation, expressed his opposition to the conference agenda and Abdi’s terrorist fundraising mission. “This event was definitely intended to organize and mobilize the extreme elements of the Somali community here to support the armed struggle against the internationally recognized Somali government and oppose US foreign policy,” Warsame said. “Abdi was openly calling for jihad and directing supporters to use the underground hawala networks to circumvent US controls to prevent terrorism financing overseas. These funds will be used to support the insurgency that is killing civilians, civil servants and anyone who works for or with the government, in order to further weaken the country and open the doors for foreign terrorists to take control of the country. Why would this man be allowed in the US?”

Repeated phone calls and emails from this reporter to the Department of Homeland Security public affairs office asking for explanation on why Abdi was allowed in the country did not receive a reply.

The failure of Homeland Security to act in any way to keep Abdi out of the country prompted heated criticism of the agency by Steven Emerson of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. “It is absolutely scandalous that federal authorities cannot or will not stop jihadists from entering the US. Homeland Security should be called Homeland Insecurity,” Emerson said.

He also noted that fundraising for terror is directly related to acts of terror:

To paraphrase the president, there is no difference between those that carry out acts of terrorism and those that protect them or enable them. Jihadist financiers are just as culpable for blowing up buses of children as those that strap bombs upon themselves. A jihadist is a jihadhist, and they are killers who have no place being allowed to operate in the US.

Equally as troubling is the fact that Abdi and the other guests at the conference were warmly greeted by a member of US Senator Norm Coleman’s (R-MN) staff, Constituent Policy Liaison Mahmud Nuur Wadheere. Wadheere’s welcome was noted in the SomaliTalk conference recap article.

Another ARS official, Abdirahman Haji Aden Ibbi, also joined Abdi as a speaker at the Minneapolis conference. The ARS was formed back in September during a conference held in Asmara, Eritrea to create an international coalition between the ICU, which was forced out of power in Somalia late last year by Ethiopian troops supporting the TFG, the Eritrean government, Islamist leaders from around the Middle East and the Somali diaspora community in the West. The US is currently considering listing Eritrea as a state sponsor of terrorism for its continued support of the insurgency in Somalia and for providing a haven for the ARS leadership.

Abdi was selected as the deputy chairman and official spokesman of the ARS, and the ICU’s no. 2, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, was appointed chairman. Last year, when the ICU took control of the country and imposed its Taliban-style of shari’a law, Abdi openly applauded their arrival. “Yesterday the West was talking about lawlessness in Somalia. Today everything is better because the Islamic courts have taken over,” Abdi said. “Let us give these people a chance.”

The leader of the ICU, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, also appeared at the Asmara conference, emerging from hiding following the ICU’s flight from Ethiopian forces. Aweys is wanted by the US and has been listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. US Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) on Meet the Press last year described Aweys as “an al-Qaeda operative or somebody that is connected to al-Qaeda.”

During the Asmara conference, Abdi was quoted as saying that the Ethiopian troops supporting the UN-backed TFG should “surrender now” or face “extinction.” He told the Associated Press : “We have enough and well-armed forces in every village of Somalia and they are ready to restore their sovereignty. We are in Eritrea to establish a control and command system so as we avoid confusion after the liberation.”

Abdi did not explain, however, the contradiction of “liberating” Somalia from foreign domination while receiving Eritrean military assistance and welcoming foreign Arab fighters (including known al-Qaeda operatives) as part of the Somali insurgency.

This episode demonstrates that our national security in some areas is no better than what it was prior to 9/11. If Homeland Security can’t or won’t act to prevent terrorist leaders like Zakaria Mahmoud Haji-Abdi from entering the US, there may be very little standing between us and the next 9/11.

Patrick Poole is a counter-terror consultant to law enforcement and the Executive Director of Central Ohioans Against Terrorism.

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9 Comments
1. Mohamed Jibrell:

Patrick Poole’s report “Are America’s enemies operating freely from inside the country?” is commendable. Here in Minnesota and throughout the US Somali supporters of ICU terrorists are engaged in substantial fundraising and are posting anti-TFG and anti-American propaganda on Somali Cyber media. It was indeed appalling that Homeland Security let in to the US people like Abdi, Eppe and Naeemo to fundraise for the Islamic Courts. Homeland Security needs to do a better job in monitoring Somali terrorist supporters.

Below is an article I posted in Somali cyber media, responding to the cyber apologists for terrorism

The Questionable Moral Arbiters (Mohamed Jibrell)
It appears that hypocrisy is endemic in the Somali cyber media, but worse there are those self appointed moral arbiters defending terrorism and other forces of darkness in the Somali cyber space. These defenders see themselves as moral arbiters of the Universe. At one level justifying violence for themselves and denying it – the right of defense – to the Transitional Federal Government.

These self-appointed moral arbiters of the Universe wish a horrible end for the TFG and oppose any hope of stability in Somalia. For many of these cyber TFG Bashers hypocrisy is not considered a perennial crime. If all the cyber hypocrites were banned, there will be no one left to write for the cyber Somali news groups.

Many of us would like to believe that there are no foreign terrorist elements in Mogadishu, but the facts do not support this wishful thinking. To the contrary the string of execution-style killings and suicide car bombings that have been taking place recently are alien to Somali culture and demonstrate the fingerprints of foreign jihadists. The TFG cyber opponents manifest a deliberate attempt at obfuscation of their intentions; they betray a sense of subterfuge and confusion about their goals. Others, those duped into the jihadist war, appear to be clueless about their distressing activities. In effect they are wittingly or unwittingly supporting Al-Qaeda

The International Community has worked very hard for Somalis to reconcile and establish a government. They had no obligation to invest all their resources and good will to establish Somali Government, but they did it anyway out off the goodness of their hearts and because of their self-interest. Every country has it own national interest and as the idiom goes “foreign policy is NOT based on permanent friends BUT rather on Interests. One might ask: “what self interests do Africans, Europeans, Arabs and Asians have in Somalia that is not apparent to Somalis, themselves?” The answer is simple: the International community does not want chaos in the Horn Africa. How about Ethiopia: What is her self-interest? It is hard to believe with all the wars and turmoil that happened between Somalia and Ethiopia, but it is plausible that Ethiopia and other neighboring governments’ self-interest in Africa is nothing more than to have a peaceful and stable Somalia. It is in this context and rationale that the UN and African Union countries support the transitional government – to bring us back to the community of nations. So for fourteen times the International Community, with Ethiopia, Kenya and the other IGAD countries at their forefront brought Somalis together to establish a negotiated government.

The cyber apologists for terrorism have created an unbelievable mythology around the Union of Islamic Courts. They tirelessly repeat mantras about the Islamic Courts: the Islamic Court governed peacefully and well, were on the right track, and have become victims of America’s war on terror. On the contrary, the Islamic Courts did not govern; they had no administration at all. Their claim to peace was bogus too. The Islamic courts declared Jihad on all ‘infidels’ and set a “swarm” of child -soldiers to fight in Kismayu and Baidoa. They even predicted that it would be cakewalk to overthrow the “weak” Government in Baidoa and the infidel government in Addis Ababa.

What is more striking about the cyber TFG bashers is how nearly all ignore the reality of the courts introducing an autocratic rule of terror based on a foreign Islamic Salafi ideology compounded by criminal acts of suicide bombs, roadside explosions, and dragging of dead bodies in the streets of Mogadishu. Those evil deeds never cross the TFG bashers’ editorial desks. For the last 17 years they have changed colors many times: clan rights supporters; nationalists; and religious purists defending the faithful, among others. What makes their arguments inane are the multiple portraits they provide as critics adrift from moral bearings.

Dec 15, 2007 – 6:51 pm

2. Caraweelo:

I think this article is long over due, indeed this is homeland insecurity. Zakaria and his like minded people shouln’d been given the previlege to come and go USA, UK or any other place, after enticing attacks and jihad against the Government of Somalia and jeopordizing the security of the Horn of Africa.

Dec 18, 2007 – 1:24 pm

3. Nadeem:

I am appalled by those who don’t want to recognize people fight to liberate their homeland from invasion by Etheopia. Patrick Poole’s article is full fo false accusations agains freedom loving people who refuse to go under rule of a petty dictator named Meles Zenawi who will gain nothing by grief from his misadventure in Somalia. While turning blind eye to the massacres committed by the Etheopian invaders and their puppet TFG against civilians, Mr Poole is shielding to the criminals agains the victims. He is like others are blinded by their obession with terrror that they foget or ignore the simple fact that Somalis people will resist the invasion and the occupation of their country. Somali will be free and the invaders and the backers see their defeat. Did you “forget balckhawk down”

Dec 18, 2007 – 2:09 pm

4. Awale:

It is not first time I have seen ill-informed writer like Poole exaggerating terrorist case or intentionally propagating to victimize others to satisfy his hate of particular people and faith. Anyone familiar the facts on ground will laugh on the falsehood accusation filled on your article and realize that you were fed allot of lies by a part of the Somali community who supports civilian genocide in Mogadishu and destruction of vital services by Ethiopians against people they perceive to be their enemy. Intelligence agencies in America are more resourceful in the community on the issue you stumped to tackle than your poorly researched article and what people like Warsame and Jibril advocate. I wonder who you will fool.

Dec 18, 2007 – 3:14 pm

5. Kacy:

Put it is simply. I am more interested in bringing to justice the merciless, cold killers of 6,000 poor soles (Patrick Poole’s own admission) + 12 more today – and guest what? all evidence point to Meles & Co. and not the Freedom fighters

Patrick Poole does not seriously expect anybody to fall for this, does he?

Having read the article I actually had to double check that this was not a hoax or joke or of sort or even perhaps an old April fools joke.

Patrick Poole must be incredibly stupid – if he really believes that he has uncovered “a cell” – well he’s friends will know now too, if he has any

Dec 18, 2007 – 5:53 pm

6. baghdad bob:

perhaps its a change of policy, noticing that TFG is in its final hour its more logical to bet on the winning horse and hence welcoming the new sheriff in the town.

Dec 18, 2007 – 8:20 pm

7. Farah Isse:

This article is a farce lie. Zakarie is not a terrorist nor is he anything other than one of the only few remaining politicians who has the will and wellbeing of the Somali people at heart.

The Somali people have suffered enormously at the hands of the Ethiopian directly and indirectly.

They have been suffering indirectly since 1991 because the Ethiopian Meles-regime was instructing and funding ruthless warlords such as Abdulahi Yussef (current Pres) and others whereby as a result the Somali peooke have suffered untold missery…

And now they have green light from the mighty Bush administration to undertake –the destruction, looting and all those other things you wouldn’t wish to your worst enemy– directly themself.

These crimes will only prolong the animosity between the neighbours and bear the fruits of future conflicts.

To call a terrorist the very man who’s trying to bring an end to the suffering of the people is a depriciation of the word to say the least and an huge insult to our intelligence. This article might missguide those un-informed but let’s not hope that common sense will prevail at the end of the day:- Innocent untill proven otherwise in a court of justice…
If there is such evidence they should stand in a court of law therefore no proceeding has been brought = The man is not a terrorist

Apr 4, 2008 – 10:18 am

8. jeenihaar:

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

The outgoing year, ashamed because of the evident failure of the human societies and states to be human and thus contribute to resolving dramas as in Darfur, Ogaden, Somalia, Tibet, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and elsewhere, offers an opportunity of reconsideration and reassessment.

First point of erroneous perception and contextualization is the attitude of the World Community to Somalia; it has to be entirely re-assessed, and once the correct conclusions drawn, a just solution should be implemented to unite Somalia and keep the Horn of Africa in Peace.

2. deliberations among all the Somali parties, organizations and associations under the UN, and

3. deployment of UN – AU forces in terrorized, slaughtered and inhumanly bombarded Ogaden, Somalia’s western part that still lives under the colonial terrorism of the Tigray butcher Zenawi.

If there is something to refute in the Western literature about the Horn of Africa, an area that remains widely unknown among the so-called Western specialists, is the superficial attitude and approach that has been illuminated by biased articles and unnecessary rants like that of Patrick Poole.

This guy bears the majestic title of “Counter-terror consultant to law enforcement and the Executive Director of Central Ohioans Against Terrorism” that goes accompanied by a tremendously and undeservedly huge income. Of course this is his personal affair, as well as that of his sponsors, but at a moment people starve in Ogaden and in Somalia, anyone’s income becomes a major concern for all. However; Patrick Poole published before two weeks an incredibly false rant under the title “Homeland Insecurity: Terrorist Fundraising in the Heartland” (http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/12/homeland_security_snoozes_whil.php).

As minimal part of Patrick Poole’s falsifications, one can notice references to the Islamic Courts of Justice, an institution that does not exist anymore, but the forger Patrick Poole mentions it in order to disqualify various persons that happened to have cooperated with that political organization in the past; even worse, Patrick Poole misleads his readers by insulting Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi as terrorist.

To discredit the ridiculous aphorism and offer you every evidence about Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi’s ideological convictions, political vision, and national liberation ideals, I will publish here in its integrity a statement issued a few days ago by Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi, who happens to be the First Deputy Chairman of ARS (Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia); this statement not only is shared by the majority of the tolerant and multicultural, liberal and open-minded Somalis but it bears witness to Dr. Zakaria Mahmoud Haji Abdi’s attachment to Human Values and Democratic Procedures.

The only terrorist in Eastern Africa – the ignorant Mr. Patrick Poole should know in order to help America – is the Tigray butcher Melse Zenawi.

A Year of Resistance Against Ethiopian occupation

Statement Delivered by:

Dr. Zakaria M Haji Abdi

1st Deputy Chairman of ARS

(Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia)

Background

The collapse of the Somali state in 1991, followed by bitter divisions and colossal civil war among the people, has caused devastating dissolution of socio-political and institutional structures, breakdown of economic infrastructure, and disintegration of national unity, which in turn promoted environment of instability, insecurity, reign of terror and dominance of ruthless warlords. As a result of this hundreds of thousands of innocent lives were lost, an influx of millions of refugees and internally displaced peoples were flooded in outside the country, the country fall apart forming cantonized clan based fiefdoms, and finally fallen under full occupation of Ethiopia, a historical archrival enemy of Somalis, with unreserved explicit political, military and material support of the United Stated and its western allies. The unprovoked US assisted Ethiopian occupation of Somalia has intentionally undermined and aborted the first collective locally initiated Somali driven with exclusive public support in restoring peace, law and order and bringing normalcy back, an efforts attempted in 2006 by religious and nationalist groups in Mogadishu, known as Union of Islamic Courts.

In these circumstances, the decision to pull forces and resources together, amalgamate and join hands for the liberation efforts in order to restore the independent sovereign united Somali state. The founders of ARS were representatives of all the Somali social segments comprising; the Islamic Courts, the Free Parliamentarians, the Somali Diaspora and civil society representatives, from inside and outside the country. At this crossroad critical moment, it was an imperative long overdue attainment, a historical political turning point and a monumental step to the future of Somalia as a people as well as nation state to have such gathering under one roof.

Therefore the formation of the ARS as an Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia by the Congress of Somali Re-liberation and Re-construction last September this year, here in Asmara, was not only the right direction for the Somali people, but also the only political option left for Somalis arising from the need to have a representative national political organization under which all Somalis are united in order to liberate their country from the Ethiopian occupation and restore independence, statehood, freedom and hope for the Somali nation. Although, ARS was founded in a relatively short period of time by these bona-fide patriotic Somali nationals who are from diverse political and ideological backgrounds, it has moved forward firmly and steadily facing all the challenges that are blocking its path.

However, the challenges confronting ARS are many, both in immediate/short and medium/long terms. Only to mention some, the immediate challenges are: political, organizational and Institutional re-structuring within the ARS, uniting Somali people, and the most important of all is the re-liberation struggle.

One year on from the illegal and reckless Ethiopian occupation to the Somali Republic proved to be disastrous in all aspects. States and organizations, which supported and cooperated directly or indirectly including those who turned blind eyes of this occupation in the name of international community, are now surprised the gravity of human sufferings and unfolding scale of the security and socio-political crisis in Somalia. Watching clips from the major international news media, the world community was shocked by the war crimes that the Ethiopian occupation forces have committed with impunity against innocent, unarmed Somalis in Mogadishu on daily basis.

And yet this is a fraction of the reality on the ground. Two thirds of the capital city, Mogadishu, was demolished, entire neighborhoods were flattened, and thousands of innocent civilian lives were literally butchered and massacred. Thousands were injured and maimed, while unaccounted number of men and women were abducted. Arbitrary gang raping of women and boys as young as 10 years old are documented as this is a normal ‘psychological warfare’ practice by the Ethiopian occupation forces. Under intense and indiscriminate shelling, over one and half million of Mogadishu residents are also displaced from their own homes to face certain death of hunger, health epidemics and harsh weather conditions in the outskirts of Mogadishu and yet what remained from their properties were looted by the invading Ethiopian forces. Moreover, Ethiopian occupation forces have not even spared the Islamic values and shrines. To add injury to insult and humiliation, they have deliberately converted mosques into lavatories using the holly Koran pages as trash toilets papers.

In assertion to above I would like to cite a selection of excerpts from voices who oppose this barbaric occupation:

Firstly; Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman of the Subcommittee on African and Global Health, of the United States Congress, recently commented on the crisis in Mogadishu, and I quote:

Innocent civilians in Mogadishu are being killed and maimed by Ethiopian security forces and the militia of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The atrocities being committed against innocent civilians in Mogadishu are war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is shameful and criminal to use tanks and heavy artillery against civilians.

Mogadishu is another Darfur in the making. It is sad to see that no one seems to care about the untold suffering of the helpless in Somalia. Unfortunately and sadly, the people of Mogadishu are not even allowed to bury their dead relatives and neighbors. We must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of innocent civilians.

Since the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, thousands of civilians have been killed and maimed and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. The abuses that are being carried out by the TFG and the Ethiopian security forces are worse than during the dreadful days of the warlords. Instead of working towards peace and reconciliation, the TFG and the Ethiopian forces are engaged in collective punishment of innocent civilians”.

Secondly; On December 3, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, John Holmes, concludes a one-week visit to the Horn of Africa. Last month, UN officials described the situation in Somalia as the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa.

The humanitarian suffering we see in Somalia and Ethiopia’s Somali region is the direct result of serious international crimes”, said Steve Crawshaw, UN advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Concerned governments and the UN Security Council need to press Ethiopia and Somalia to end these abuses and ensure accountability for their armed forces”.

The report continues: “in November, tens of thousands of people from Mogadishu have drove out yet again. The November clashes have been marked by increasing brutality toward civilians, including summary executions and enforced disappearances of individuals by Ethiopian forces.

These heinous crimes and horrendous atrocities will reverberate in the minds of many Somali generations for many years to come.

ARS Position & Future Vision:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our position and vision for the future Somalia is a crystal clear and summarized in the following points:

1. Ethiopian occupation forces must simultaneously disengage and withdraw immediately and unconditionally from Mogadishu and all Somalia’s territory.

2. Individuals and institutions responsible for the monstrous atrocities and who have committed War Crimes against Somali people should be investigated, apprehended and brought to justice in a court of law.

3. Ugandan and recently arrived Burundian forces must pull out from Somalia. However, an AU or other regional or international peace keeping forces, with specific mandate with explicitly unequivocal rules of engagement, could only be brought in after a negotiated political settlement is reached among the Somalis.

4. ARS is committed for a Somali/Somali dialogue, promotion of peace reconciliation, and restoration of law and order with credible national unity government.

5. ARS urges international community to genuinely assist the legitimate struggle of the Somali people in ending foreign occupation and calls for immediate humanitarian aid relief for the millions of displaced people by the Ethiopian occupation forces.

6. ARS emphatically believes and envisages that an independent, sovereign and democratic Somalia peaceful, prosperous Somalia with democratically elected government.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to conclude my remarks

Unless the Ethiopian government withdraws its occupation forces from all Somali soil, ends these appalling crimes, and accepts its responsibility of the war crimes that they have committed against Somali people, it will be too little, too late, with devastating instability and irreversible insecurity consequences for the whole Horn of Africa region.

Apr 26, 2008 – 2:49 pm

9. Moalin:

Secrets of the Opposition
Known as The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia

Most of the Somali tribes are welcoming the Transitional Federal Government system except one sub-sub-tribe from the southern Mudug & central Galgudud regions. The politicians from this sub-sub-tribe are H Dahir Aweyz, Husein Aided, Ex-president Abdikasim Salad Hasan, Adan H Airow & Sh Yusuf indha’ade, which seriously worry about their political future, which they believe that they will become minority in to the future federal parliament seats and the ministerial cabinet if the federal government system and it’s district–level elections took-place effectively in the country. Because, their political ambitions are not applicable to their limited home settlements & districts, which are less than four districts that they mostly abandoned.

These politicians, mostly they don’t mention how the federal system will affect them, but they usually mention other common problem such as the enforcement of Islamic sharia (law) and the re-liberation of Somalia from ethiopia as to misguide the Somali people and the international community until they reach their goals.

Since the last decade they were occupying to the southern regions and were attempting to establish a some sort of top to bottom based government system like the former Somali military government led by the President Siyad Bare, which they designated to the late general Aided for the establishment of military government that he finally failed.

Their second alternative was the formation of the former Islamic Court Union, which they appointed to the colonel Shiekh Hassan Dahir Aweys for the execution of the Islamic revolution that technically copied from the Iranian Islamic Revolution system led by the Sheikh Ayatulah Khomeini, which was ruling powerfully the Iranian people under a dictatorship council that called majliz-shura. On June 2006 Colonel H D Aweys had founded Islamic Court Union and tried to rule the country under a dictatorship council that he called Majlis-Shura, which finally destroyed by the TFG troops backed by the Ethiopian troops.

Their third alternative is the ongoing chaos, which they assigned to the groups called Al-shabab & Muqawimo for the destruction of the federal government system, terrorization of the people, chaos and the long-lasting civil war.

But, their last alternative is the formations of the ARS Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, which consist of the former Islamic court union & the former transitional federal assembly members & juniors from the Diaspora that they pledged political posts as to steer them into their pre-planed political strategy through covered leaders that they specially appointed in Asmara, Eritrea.

Obviously, when their political goals get closer they will call Shek Sharif, Sharif Hasan, Zakaria Hagi & M Tarsan the four spies, the four jokers, the four detectives as to eliminate and avoid from the top political posts of the expecting Somali government, but I may be possible that Mr Shekh Shariif and his colleague will apply other tactics against that motion.

Sooner or later the opposition of he TFG currently known as ARS will divide into several groups and partially will joint the TFG as to reform its system in to some sort of decentralization government.

We Somalilanders blame the international community for being passive and ignorant.

Somaliland has been existing for the past 19 years with little help not worth commenting on from the entire world.

On The other hand Somalia has had so much money and many peace confrences in all over the region ,the money for this confrences have directly come from tax payers from both Europe and America.

The problems that are being seen are directly the mistakes from this Rich nations that are paying money that directly goes to the pockets of this warloads & extremists who in return spend that money on buying weapons.

This weapons are the same ones that are being used by pirates,al shabab and all this mad people in both mogadishu and somalia.

We somalilanders think that the UN, EU And the US Should pay more attention to the peace loving peoples of Somaliland and that may finaly be the awakening for this ruthless killers in Somalia.